40 Hours for the Forty Acres September 2022

Who We Are 

International education is more critical than ever before in today’s increasingly interconnected world. UT is committed to educating global citizens with innovative teaching and research that changes lives to address the world’s greatest challenges.  

Texas Global advances UT Austin’s academic mission by leading, supporting, and coordinating the university’s international engagement efforts; fostering strategic partnerships on campus and abroad; welcoming a cadre of impressive international students and scholars to campus; and creating opportunities for students and faculty to engage with peers and institutions around the world. 

More than 4,000 Longhorns study, research, and intern abroad each year, earning UT a consistent ranking among the top three universities for study abroad participation in the U.S. In a recent poll, 85 percent of UT alumni who studied abroad ranked that experience as the top contributor to their post-graduation success.

What We Are Fundraising For

Your contribution will support student scholarships for education abroad.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced the number of Longhorns who were able to study abroad in 2020 and 2021, but we continued to support students. We remain steadfast in our commitment to making it possible for students to engage with the world, and we are excited to see a rebound in the number of students studying abroad with more than 2,000 taking part in academic programs, internships, and research across the globe during the last academic year. 

UT students are eager to get back into the world and we are eager to help them. 

As we emerge and chart a course for our collective future, the world needs leaders and global citizens equipped with a global mindset and the accompanying knowledge, experience, and perspective that are gained through education abroad.

But for many Longhorns, the cost of studying abroad is an insurmountable obstacle, and more than 60 percent of UT students who study abroad depend on financial assistance.

Your Impact

Your gift will remove financial barriers and transform the lives and careers of Longhorns by giving them access to education abroad. 

Your contribution will directly support a student and offset their costs of studying, researching, or interning abroad, including obtaining a passport and paying for airfare, tuition, housing, food, and other expenses.

Your gift will truly transform the life and career of a Longhorn. Not only that, but in supporting student mobility around the world, you amplify UT Austin's global reach, reputation, and impact.

“I was always interested in studying abroad, but I never knew where I wanted to go or if I could afford it. I was very lucky and fortunate to receive enough scholarships. I especially encourage minority and low-income students to take advantage of their opportunities at UT to study abroad. It is a truly unique, life-changing experience."

— Rose Yeh, biochemistry major, studied abroad in Chile

"I can definitely say that I will return to UT with a newfound confidence in myself and my abilities. If I could survive living abroad in a country I had never been to, with people I had never met before, for an entire semester, then I am surely prepared to handle most other challenges thrown my way. I am excited to participate in as much as possible and make the most of my last two years at UT. In addition, I realized that I want to help international and exchange students at UT in the same way that Hungarian students helped me. They were the reason why I had such an amazing experience abroad despite the pandemic, and I know that they will welcome me with open arms should I ever return.”

— Sanjana Reddy, marketing major, studied abroad in Budapest, Hungary

“This semester has been a transformative period in my life.  It was the first time I have had to navigate a new setting without any initial connections. This gave me the chance to develop skills in communication and organization since I had to keep track of the various aspects of studying and living abroad.”

— Aliya Boisselle, neuroscience major, studied abroad in Uppsala, Sweden 

“Thailand has definitely shaped both my academic and career goals. Growing up, I was pretty sheltered. And that's why I think going abroad is so important, because to become a worldly person, you need to have different experiences, and if you confine yourself to university, you're not going to be able to grow. I'm so thankful UT has programs that encourage students to go abroad and have these experiences.”

— Sarah Fung, advertising and health and society major, interned in Thailand

“Reflecting on my experience, I feel like I have learned a lot of important life lessons while I’ve been here. I never wanted to be that overly dramatic study abroad kid that goes on and on about how studying abroad changed their life, but honestly, studying abroad has really changed my perspective on a lot of things.” 

— Avi Minocha, computer science major, studied abroad in Singapore

Thank you for supporting Longhorns who want to engage with and make a difference in the world. You prove that “what starts here changes the world” is not just our motto, it’s our way of life. And our students will be forever changed by your generosity.